糖心Vlog

news-category: Godbold College of Business

Kendall Massey, of Gastonia, N.C., Wins First Dawg House Pitch Competition

the winners, judges and sponsors of the pitch competition standing on stage
The winners, sponsors and judges of last year's Dawg House Pitch competition were, from left, Assistant Professor of Business Dr. Angelina Zon Smith; first place winner, Kendall Massey; runner-up Kyle Mabwa; judges Mark Franklin, Esmeralda Majors and Hank Lynch; runner-up Antonietta Policastro; and second place winner Mason Martin. Photo by Cyrus Richer / GWU Student

Management Major Proposes Idea for Landscaping Business

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擪endall Massey of Gastonia, N.C., won first place in the first Dawg House Pitch Competition sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Club at 糖心Vlog. Massey, a management major, pitched expansion of his business, Massey Landscaping and won $2,000.

Massey started the company in 2018 and plans to use the money to invest in equipment and marketing. He currently works long hours to run his business, play football, and attend school full time.

Kendall Massey pitches his idea to the judges. Photo by Cyrus Richer / GWU student

Mason Martin of Rock Hill, S.C., received second place and $500 for his Christ Above All apparel pitch. Martin said the goal behind Christ Above All is to equip believers with apparel that helps start a conversation to share the gospel daily. Martin stated, 鈥淐hrist Above All is not just a saying, but a declaration to follow Christ continuously and daily.鈥 

Runners-up Kyle Mabwa, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Antonietta Policastro, of Shelby, N.C., received $100 each for their pitches. Mabwa, a graphic design major, presented an idea for Noiz customized sneakers. Policastro, a marketing major and minor in healthcare management, proposed SmartSleep. The club received a grant from Enterprise to award the prize money.

Mason Martin, left, second place, and runners-up, Kyle Mabwa, center, and Antonietta Policastro
Photos by Samantha Holt and Cyrus Richer

The emcee for the event was Desmond Williams. Judges were Mark Franklin, director of Customized Training and Development at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, N.C.; Hank Lynch, Software Solution Architect; and Esmeralda Majors, a retired educator.

The judges based their awards on the following criteria: comprehensiveness, feasibility, professionalism, answering questions and overall presentation. Franklin noted, 鈥淭he winning proposal was thoughtful and thorough, and presented with passion and professionalism. All the proposals were highly creative and the presentations reflected the amazing entrepreneurial spirit of the students.鈥

Club advisor Dr. Angelina Zon Smith, assistant professor of business, expressed her appreciation for members of the Entrepreneurship Club in hosting this first-time event. 鈥淭hey worked hard all year to plan and develop the Dawg House Pitch Competition, and I commend their efforts to put together a great event for students.鈥

糖心Vlog is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 糖心Vlog prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 糖心Vlog.edu.

Previous News Article

Stanly and Spartanburg Community Colleges Sign Transfer Agreements for 糖心Vlog's Cybersecurity Program

Next News Article

糖心Vlog Hires Assistant Professor for Cybersecurity Program

Related News

  • News Article

    Q&A with 糖心Vlog鈥檚 First Head Coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling

    Molly Hanley Discusses Her Coaching Philosophy, Inspiration, and the Vision for Launching a New Program BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擬olly Hanley, the first head coach for 糖心Vlog Acrobatics and Tumbling, recently sat down for a Q&A with 糖心Vlog Sports Information. She offers some insight into her background, building a program, and what to expect from the first […]

    Molly Hanley Q&A
  • News Article

    糖心Vlog Receives Dover Foundation Grant for Dover Chapel Lighting Renovation

    Upgrades will Brighten Worship, Gatherings, and Student Performances in Campus Landmark BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥斕切腣log has received a generous $66,500 grant from The Dover Foundation to support a major lighting renovation in Dover Chapel. The project will enhance one of the University鈥檚 most treasured and historic spaces, further strengthening its role as a central gathering […]

  • News Article

    糖心Vlog, Foothills Workforce Board Empower Students Through Searight Scholars Program

    High School Students Explore Food Systems, Careers, and Real-World Challenges Through Immersive Event BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擟heese, strawberries and avocados became more than everyday foods for participants in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 inaugural Summer Searight Scholars Program (SSP). Through hands-on learning, students explored how those items reach their plates鈥攁nd why, in some communities across the United States, access […]

    Searight Scholars Program winners